WNBA discussion thread?

[glv98]

Some good news:


The bad news is she’s going back to Skylar Diggins cussing folks out and running folks off,

 

[glv98]

Some more good news:

 

[knoxvol52]

Some more good news:

Good chance for WNBA to cut a deal with TNT since NBA is going to NBC and other Networks.

 

[madtownvol]

It’s sure never boring, either for the Sparks or Rickea. Consistency is the struggle. Of course the consistency shes trying to achieve is all star level all the time, not just part of the time.

The loss to the Valks was devastating, may be hard to recover from. Rickea was actually the only one shooting well early on but Roberts left her out too long in the second qtr and she’s been cold since. The next game she played 37 mins in spite of cold shooting. Roberts is definitely trying to figure it out and Rickea def has to stop being so fragile as far as scoring efficiently. But it seems like shes so close.

Rae has had a really good run the last couple of games. She fills her role so nicely. Brink is also coming along nicely.

The best hope for the Sparks to make playoffs might be the continued spin out of the Seattle Storm. Exactly how toxic is Skylar Diggins?

Izzy Harrison is out of the Sparks/Lib game tonight on concussion protocol.

Very up and down game for Rickea last night against Liberty, Made some very nice plays (including a few great assists) but missed too many lay-ups and open 3s that could have made a difference (though the team shot poorly all night), She got lost on a few defensive swtiches as well.

 

[glv98]

Very up and down game for Rickea last night against Liberty, Made some very nice plays (including a few great assists) but missed too many lay-ups and open 3s that could have made a difference (though the team shot poorly all night), She got lost on a few defensive swtiches as well.

Even though 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 assists sounds good, you’re right, if she had shot anywhere near decently the Sparks would have won. That in spite of Steven’s and Hamby having no possibility of guarding Messerman and Jones. The Sparks would still have outscored them. It really hurt to lose Brink in this one also.

Rickea has fallen into a distressing pattern of starting hot, 8 pts in the first qtr last night, then falling off a cliff when she sits for half the second qtr. She needs rest, she plays 30+ mins per game, but they have to figure out a different way for her to get it. And her shooting touch has to quit being so dang fragile. She continues to show flashes of brilliance but struggle for consistency, esp if her scoring sprees are interrupted.

Now would be a good time to find it. They have 3 winnable and must win games coming up. They play the Wings twice and the mystics. Meanwhile, they need the Valkys and the storm to lose every game, both starting tonight.

 

[madtownvol]

Even though 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 assists sounds good, you’re right, if she had shot anywhere near decently the Sparks would have won. That in spite of Steven’s and Hamby having no possibility of guarding Messerman and Jones. The Sparks would still have outscored them. It really hurt to lose Brink in this one also.

Rickea has fallen into a distressing pattern of starting hot, 8 pts in the first qtr last night, then falling off a cliff when she sits for half the second qtr. She needs rest, she plays 30+ mins per game, but they have to figure out a different way for her to get it. And her shooting touch has to quit being so dang fragile. She continues to show flashes of brilliance but struggle for consistency, esp if her scoring sprees are interrupted.

Now would be a good time to find it. They have 3 winnable and must win games coming up. They play the Wings twice and the mystics. Meanwhile, they need the Valkys and the storm to lose every game, both starting tonight.

All true. From my view, I think it is hard on her because she is sometimes (though pretty rarely) option 1 but more often option 2 or 3 (behind Plum and Hamby). She only has moments where she is (allowed to be) offensively aggressive. Otherwise, she spends a lot of time, as floor spacer (and when you have an inconsistent 3 pt shot, that is not an ideal role). When she plays with Stevens and Hamby, they tend to take the spaces where RJ thrives. Too often. RJ will make a nice cut to the basket only to find 40 defenders in the paint because Hamby and Stevens are also in that space.

 

[glv98]

All true. From my view, I think it is hard on her because she is sometimes (though pretty rarely) option 1 but more often option 2 or 3 (behind Plum and Hamby). She only has moments where she is (allowed to be) offensively aggressive. Otherwise, she spends a lot of time, as floor spacer (and when you have an inconsistent 3 pt shot, that is not an ideal role). When she plays with Stevens and Hamby, they tend to take the spaces where RJ thrives. Too often. RJ will make a nice cut to the basket only to find 40 defenders in the paint because Hamby and Stevens are also in that space.

Bottom line though, she’s playing the most mins and eventually getting up the most shots. She just has to hit them more consistently. She’ll go a few games and hit everything then a few and hit nothing. Has to even it out. Shes on the cusp of being an All Star.

 

[madtownvol]

Bottom line though, she’s playing the most mins and eventually getting up the most shots. She just has to hit them more consistently. She’ll go a few games and hit everything then a few and hit nothing. Has to even it out. Shes on the cusp of being an All Star.

I have no idea why but during Sparks games, I feel like a parent watching my kid play. Come on Rickea you can do it!! Great play, that will show the coach they need to get you the ball more!. Oh no, how did you miss that shot!! you can make that shot in your sleep. Don't let that girl get by you for a lay-up. you can do better than that....

 

[glv98]

I have no idea why but during Sparks games, I feel like a parent watching my kid play. Come on Rickea you can do it!! Great play, that will show the coach they need to get you the ball more!. Oh no, how did you miss that shot!! you can make that shot in your sleep. Don't let that girl get by you for a lay-up. you can do better than that....

Particularly on the shots! Last night I said in my most parental voice, “Oh Rickea!”. Been known to have chats with Rae too.

I think with Rickea in particular it’s because she’s SO close . . .

 

[glv98]

It’s good to be Candace Parker right now,

 

[LV renaissance]

Even though 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 assists sounds good, you’re right, if she had shot anywhere near decently the Sparks would have won. That in spite of Steven’s and Hamby having no possibility of guarding Messerman and Jones. The Sparks would still have outscored them. It really hurt to lose Brink in this one also.

Rickea has fallen into a distressing pattern of starting hot, 8 pts in the first qtr last night, then falling off a cliff when she sits for half the second qtr. She needs rest, she plays 30+ mins per game, but they have to figure out a different way for her to get it. And her shooting touch has to quit being so dang fragile. She continues to show flashes of brilliance but struggle for consistency, esp if her scoring sprees are interrupted.

Now would be a good time to find it. They have 3 winnable and must win games coming up. They play the Wings twice and the mystics. Meanwhile, they need the Valkys and the storm to lose every game, both starting tonight.


I remember that this happened often with Rickea was at UT as well. She would start out well and then visibly tire, at times needing breathing treatments. I wonder if she still has respiratory issues. Also, her recent slump is during a particularly busy stretch in the Sparks schedule, which would fit the fatigue/medical issue scenario. Mentally, I think she gets down on herself once she misses a few shots and this contributes to her streakiness as well.

 

[madtownvol]

Even though 16 pts, 7 reb, 3 assists sounds good, you’re right, if she had shot anywhere near decently the Sparks would have won. That in spite of Steven’s and Hamby having no possibility of guarding Messerman and Jones. The Sparks would still have outscored them. It really hurt to lose Brink in this one also.

Rickea has fallen into a distressing pattern of starting hot, 8 pts in the first qtr last night, then falling off a cliff when she sits for half the second qtr. She needs rest, she plays 30+ mins per game, but they have to figure out a different way for her to get it. And her shooting touch has to quit being so dang fragile. She continues to show flashes of brilliance but struggle for consistency, esp if her scoring sprees are interrupted.

Now would be a good time to find it. They have 3 winnable and must win games coming up. They play the Wings twice and the mystics. Meanwhile, they need the Valkys and the storm to lose every game, both starting tonight.


I remember that this happened often with Rickea was at UT as well. She would start out well and then visibly tire, at times needing breathing treatments. I wonder if she still has respiratory issues. Also, her recent slump is during a particularly busy stretch in the Sparks schedule, which would fit the fatigue/medical issue scenario. Mentally, I think she gets down on herself once she misses a few shots and this contributes to her streakiness as well.

If I recall correctly, RJ has asthma. I would assume she is on the best medication regime possible but that could be a factor to some her inconsistency. I also think GLV is on to something with the idea that the Sparks substitution patterns may not be helping Rickea. She consistently leaves the game hot at the start of the 2nd quarter and then comes back on ice-cold after sitting for 7 to 8 minutes of game time.

 

[glv98]

If I recall correctly, RJ has asthma. I would assume she is on the best medication regime possible but that could be a factor to some her inconsistency. I also think GLV is on to something with the idea that the Sparks substitution patterns may not be helping Rickea. She consistently leaves the game hot at the start of the 2nd quarter and then comes back on ice-cold after sitting for 7 to 8 minutes of game time

I’ve never seen respiratory issues or endurance be a problem since shes been in the pros. I hate to speak this into the atmosphere, but except for the concussion stretch early on,shes been an iron woman for the Sparks, playing over 30 mins both the second half of last yr and all yr this yr. She played 37 mins the other night against the Storm and 45 in the double OT game with them. That said, she said just the other day her legs are tired at this point and I’m sure they are.

But I think it’s more a mental thing. She’s always been a spree scorer who just hates to sit, esp when she’s hot and esp for prolonged periods. Not a player who benefits from watching. She seems to have trouble getting back into the flow of the game after sitting, often not getting any more shots up for a while then forcing them when she does.

Harper solved this by giving Rickea mini breaks around time outs and quarter changes. Roberts may or may not be willing to rotate that way and really it’s on Rickea to learn to stay engaged and work through however shes used. She might need to work with a sports psychologist. A few misses clearly get in her head now.

 

[madtownvol]

last night, Sparks fought to a 1 point win over the Wings. Not a televised game so just going by box score. Looked like a decent night for Rickea with 15pts, 5rebound, 2 assists (and a better shooting night than her last game). Plum had a big game 28 that effectively cancelled out Bueckers 29. Rae's stat line does not jump out but she got 19 minutes. Sparks now 16-17 and still in the mix for a playoff spot but they need a strong closing run.

 

[glv98]

last night, Sparks fought to a 1 point win over the Wings. Not a televised game so just going by box score. Looked like a decent night for Rickea with 15pts, 5rebound, 2 assists (and a better shooting night than her last game). Plum had a big game 28 that effectively cancelled out Bueckers 29. Rae's stat line does not jump out but she got 19 minutes. Sparks now 16-17 and still in the mix for a playoff spot but they need a strong closing run.

After three quarters of a master class on offense, the Sparks suddenly couldn't score the last four minutes. Almost pi@sed away a crucial game in their run for the playoffs. Fortunately Paige's last second three rimmed out. Paige was fantastic, though now she can't hit a 3.

Rickea Is hitting threes much better now, especially at the opening of games which gets the Sparks off to a fast start However, now she can't hit a layup to save her life. Still putting up solid numbers though, hopefully the inefficiency irons itself out soon. Plum and Hamby are both playing great and Julie A continues to be the best PG in the league right now. She had 9 assists and 4 steals in this game. They need more Brink to provide better interior D. Love Azura, but she's not strong enough, and Hamby's not big enough.

Today at 3 is another crucial game, this time in DC against the beatable but dangerous Mystics. Sparks have beaten them twice. Both Golden State and Seattle are likely to lose today, so this is a chance for the Sparks to hit .500 and take the lead for the last playoff spot. Remarkable run for them, they've gone 12-5 since the All Star break. Game today is on ESPN3 and always on WNBA league pass.

 

[knoxvol52]

Stick a fork in em. The Indiana Fever are done ..

 

[Scotty4lvs]

Stick a fork in em. The Indiana Fever are done ..

The Fever situation makes me really question the decision to so aggressively expand the league in the next few years. Seems if there is just so much talent for all of these other teams that there would not be such a drastic drop-off in quality players when injured teams start taking players on... I just don't think the depth of talent is there for 3 whole additional teams to exist and the league be as sharp and competitive as it should be.

 

[glv98]

The Fever situation makes me really question the decision to so aggressively expand the league in the next few years. Seems if there is just so much talent for all of these other teams that there would not be such a drastic drop-off in quality players when injured teams start taking players on... I just don't think the depth of talent is there for 3 whole additional teams to exist and the league be as sharp and competitive as it should be.

Agree completely. And they’re also talking roster expansion! There’s just not that much league worthy talent though everyone has their fave “should have made it” player.

Also the schedule is already brutal and compacted. They’re trying to get it in before the college season starts and with extra teams it gets harder. The injury rate is insane, looks like Sophie blew out her knee today. We all know our faves are one mis step away.

Refs and fouls are often blamed but I think it’s more to do with improper rest and recovery time. Plain ole overusage. Also coaches complain there’s zero practice and player development time. Expansion makes all of this worse.

Selfishly though, Fever loses are helpful for the Sparks, one more reachable team. Suns up by 15 in the third qtr, but don’t underestimate their chances of blowing it.